Trades before the deadline?

[Bellhorn04]

Seems rather speculative. He could have just had a bad year, it happens to relievers all the time. He pitched 20 innings for the Yankees and had a 4.87 ERA as a rookie. If someone's judging a pitcher based on 20 innings as a rookie, they probably don't understand baseball.

 

Yes, it's all hearsay about the anxiety issues. But when you take his numbers with the Yankees and Sox and combine it with how quickly both teams seemed to give up on him, it seems to have some substance.

[Standing Room]

Yes, it's all hearsay about the anxiety issues. But when you take his numbers with the Yankees and Sox and combine it with how quickly both teams seemed to give up on him, it seems to have some substance.

 

The Yankees traded Mark Melancon for Lance Berkman, it's not like they dumped him. The Red Sox basically gave up on him after one year, but that doesn't mean he had anxiety issues. The fact that he's been an effective closer seems to suggest that he doesn't have anxiety issues more than the Red Sox trading him does.

[Behindenemylines]

Pirates have the second best record in baseball and their bullpen has been lights out. They will not trade Melancon, and based on his track record in NY and Boston he does not like the bright lights.

[Bellhorn04]

The Yankees traded Mark Melancon for Lance Berkman, it's not like they dumped him. The Red Sox basically gave up on him after one year, but that doesn't mean he had anxiety issues. The fact that he's been an effective closer seems to suggest that he doesn't have anxiety issues more than the Red Sox trading him does.

 

I really don't want to get into an extended debate about it, but I think there's plenty of evidence, anecdotal at least, that some players are affected negatively by the spotlight of playing for the Yankees or the Sox.

[Standing Room]

I really don't want to get into an extended debate about it, but I think there's plenty of evidence, anecdotal at least, that some players are affected negatively by the spotlight of playing for the Yankees or the Sox.

 

We're not talking about most players though, we're talking about Mark Melancon. And I don't think one bad year with the Red Sox is enough to speculate that he might have anxiety issues. He's setting up and closing for the first place Pirates.

[User Name]

....yet Bellhorn still presents a valid point. Yankees fans have been speaking about Melancon's inability to handle big-market bright lights for years. Jacko being one of them. Regardless, it is what it is.

[Standing Room]

....yet Bellhorn still presents a valid point. Yankees fans have been speaking about Melancon's inability to handle big-market bright lights for years. Jacko being one of them. Regardless, it is what it is.

 

Based on the 20 innings he pitched for the Yankees as a rookie? That's idiotic. It sounds like something a Yankees fan would say to justify the trade afterward.

[User Name]

We're talking about people who followed the guy ever since he was drafted.

 

I'm not looking to get into an argument about it either, again, it is what it is.

[Standing Room]

We're talking about people who followed the guy ever since he was drafted.

 

I'm not looking to get into an argument about it either, again, it is what it is.

 

No, we're talking about one person's wild speculation. I googled Mark Melancon and anxiety and no one else is speculating about it.

[MJantomaso]

In Melancon's defense, it seems like nobody pitched well for the sox last year.

[Rick Ross]

I'm pretty sure if you pitch in the Major Leagues, anxiety should not be too big of an issue for you.

[italstallianion]

Didn't they say Khalil Greene and Zack Greinke had anxiety issues?

[mvp 78]

Didn't they say Khalil Greene and Zack Greinke had anxiety issues?

 

There have been a ton of guys who've struggled with it. Nick Esasky's career basically ended because of it.

[Standing Room]

Didn't they say Khalil Greene and Zack Greinke had anxiety issues?

 

Saltalamacchia had some as well. There have been documented cases of players with anxiety issues, Melancon is not one of them.

[italstallianion]

Greene was on the DL because of it I believe.

[Spitball]

There have been a ton of guys who've struggled with it. Nick Esasky's career basically ended because of it.

 

Actually, Esasky's career ended because of vertigo which developed from an ear infection.

 

Tony Horton, a Red Sox prospect traded to the Guardians in 1967 for Gary Bell, had one of the most tragic bouts with anxiety.

 

In this clip, he is seen making an out against an Eephus pitch thrown by Steve Hamilton. As he approaches the dugout, he gets on his hands and knees and crawls the rest of the way. Legend has it he was never the same afterward. I don't know about that, but I do know that he suffered from anxiety. About two months after this incident, he allegedly begged out of the line up and allegedly attempted suicide later that night. He never played again.

 

[SoxSport]

I really don't want to get into an extended debate about it, but I think there's plenty of evidence, anecdotal at least, that some players are affected negatively by the spotlight of playing for the Yankees or the Sox.

 

Melancon also came into a dysfunctional organization last year--one of the worst coached teams in memory. That may have contributed. You wonder about Bard as well, who was totally mishandled--he may well be a head case. The other guy who was treated like crap was Aceves--jack of all trades: reliever, starter, closer--and he finally imploded.

 

When guys turn it around for another team, they are usually getting better coaching.

[User Name]

So, are Mike Carp and Shane Victorino getting better coaching here?

[iortiz]

Just heard on FOX Sports that the Red Sox are really interested in Papelbon, and could be a real possibility before the trade deadline.

[Bellhorn04]

Just heard on FOX Sports that the Red Sox are really interested in Papelbon, and could be a real possibility before the trade deadline.

 

There could also be some games going on between the Sox and the Tigers, who need a closer even more than we do.

[iortiz]

There could also be some games going on between the Sox and the Tigers, who need a closer even more than we do.

 

It's early, but Koji has shown good things closing last couple of games. If he keeps going this way I doubt they land Pap, although I'm concerned about his durability, hopefully he stays healthy. On the other hand seeing what is happening with Buch and now with Lester (consistency and recent probable injury) maybe they will focus their strategy in landing another SP. Gonna be interesting how they play their cards.

[Spitball]

There could also be some games going on between the Sox and the Tigers, who need a closer even more than we do.

 

Ah geez! Please don't trade for Papelbon unless he comes to Boston for a utility infielder and the Phillies throw in a bunch of cash. He is signed to a terrible, terrible contract and his k-rate is down by about 4 per 9.

[italstallianion]

I hope we just drive up the price to make the Tigers overpay.

[User Name]

Ah geez! Please don't trade for Papelbon unless he comes to Boston for a utility infielder and the Phillies throw in a bunch of cash. He is signed to a terrible, terrible contract and his k-rate is down by about 4 per 9.

 

Wrath of iortiz and a700 in 3.....2....1........

[iortiz]

:angry:

[Standing Room]

A couple of days ago, Buster Olney reported the Phillies were talking to the Red Sox and the Tigers about Papelbon.

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9412832/mlb-trade-deadline-preview

 

He wouldn't be a bad pick-up if all it took was a garbage prospect.

[a700hitter]

And worst of all, his manager would have the misfortune of being to pencil in 35 saves when the season starts.

[italstallianion]

From what I had read throughout the season, the Phillies wanted money and a good prospect, if not multiple prospects. I'd much rather get a starter, hell I'd rather have Cliff Lee than Papelbon, but if it's money and a decent/meh prospect then I'll be ok with it.

 

In other words if I woke up tomorrow reading a headline saying that we got Papelbon, my first reaction would be "oh crap, what did we just give up" rather than "yay we got a top closer to solve our bullpen problems"

[iortiz]

A couple of days ago, Buster Olney reported the Phillies were talking to the Red Sox and the Tigers about Papelbon.

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9412832/mlb-trade-deadline-preview

 

He wouldn't be a bad pick-up if all it took was a garbage prospect.

 

We are fans, and we simply want to see our team win. He would be a great addition, no doubt about that. The truth is that he is a very good closer. Everybody talks about the money and all... . Being honest... Who cares about the money ... I prefer that JH spends his money in the team than in hot brunettes

[User Name]

We care about money because we don't want the team to back itself into a financial corner like it did in 2012. What Henry does or doesn't do with his personal money is none of our business. What the team can do with its budger while staying under the cap to avoid the massive hits that come with the new CBA is. The mentality portrayed above is the main reason 2012 ever happened.